Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva outlined several new measures yesterday that will help Police combat rising gun crime.

The measures will help the Bermuda Police Service tackle crime and enhance public confidence.

¦ Overseas firearms officers

The BPS has hired approximately a dozen UK officers who have already been trained to use firearms. They will arrive in Bermuda next month.

Yesterday, Mr. DeSilva said: "They will join a number of local officers who received their firearms training earlier this year for some joint training, before both groups then join the main firearms team on operational duties".

¦ Federal Bureau of Investigation support and training

In January the FBI offered some training to local Police and will offer a second course for people in the Department of Public Prosecution's Office, Customs, Immigration, Corrections and Probation Services.

The BPS will also be sending some of its staff to the US to take part in operational attachments with the FBI and its partners, this will allow them to get a first hand look at intelligence systems and street level tactics.

Mr. DeSilva added that the BPS has also been invited to join their information sharing network, which will give local Police access to US national databases on guns, ammunition, gangs, graffiti, tattoos and Internet sites

"More importantly, access to this network puts US law enforcement agencies on alert for persons that Bermuda has interests in," he said. "So, if the police are monitoring an individual in Bermuda — the US authorities will also look out for them when they are in the States.

¦ Hire temporary staff

The BPS has hired 14 retired or current officers from the UK to support investigations in the Serious Crime Unit. The staff has been hired on a temporary basis ranging from three to six months each to support our investigations in the Serious Crime Unit.

Some of the staff arrived in late January and more have arrived recently. They will not be policing the streets of Bermuda instead they are tasked with reviewing older cases for new lines of inquiry assisting investigators or analysing intelligence.

¦ Assistant Commissioner of Police

There are currently three candidates on the Island interviewing to be the second Assistant Commissioner.

The successful candidate will have to have a proven and recent track record of developing strategies and operational tactics that reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, particularly in relation to gang violence and the use of firearms.

The contract will be for no more than three years and the individual will be required to mentor staff.

Mr. DeSilva added: "Rather than race our Superintendents to the next rank — all of whom are new in the post — I have decided to enhance their training by providing operational postings in the UK to give wider exposure to operational policing."

Within three years one of the Superintendents will be promoted to the second Assistant Commissioner post.